Leaving The Land of Point

Today is the last day in Training and with my family. I am moving. I also forgot to mention that the The Point play was a smash! It happened some weeks ago.

I thought we had an experimental play about the kids attempting to put on a play- like most of our practices had gone (of which there were 7) but the day of we took the kids out for a final practice before the supposed show and were pleasantly surprised. (At the practice before this half of the kids half rebelled against us because they wanted to play soccer. Then we said ok - go play soccer and they wouldn't.)

While we practiced the finishing touches on the set design were made including sharp points for all heads and a beautiful sign somehow tied in place by a ceiling beam and a bench welcoming the crowds in the front of the un-finished church.

Oh yes, the crowds- I felt like I was working on a film shoot again as I ran around the whole town before the play telling everyone and their mother to come because the school class that we had intended to invite had been let out earlier than we thought they would be. The audience wasn't as old as we were seeking but the benches were full.

The play was presented in the local language (except the songs) so that all the kids would get the point... translated by almost all the Ghanaian training staff so I am now known as the Volunteer of Point.

Yesterday I was in the Training Office checking to make sure I passed my language test (I did) as Little John told me I should (it was an unexpectedly difficult test) and we had to send someone away because he walked into the room and did not have A Point.

Puumaaya

is my new Dagbani name.

The elders thought about it for several days.
Definitions in the nice order I received them -

Happy stomach.
Happiness all around. A Happy feeling.
Another way for happiness.
A name that can be given if the first child dies.

Puumaaya
(poomaia)

bIG aFRICAN yELLOW bAT CAVE

November 10th-14th

babyC

(In this Peace Corps world of acronyms I created one for myself, as I told myself I would never do. I had to... )

My new home is alive and well. I cleaned it up but the bats are too smelly to be allowed to live with me. Don't worry, they are in the roof. I only notice it when I return home and after the first night I slept fine amidst their loud banter.

It is in the middle of a cornfield where the 'cowboys' roam with the cows. I have heard they play flutes. I have tasted their sweet milk and it is Fine. Fried cheese curds too (a gift from Tamale). Heavenly...

The elders greeted me with their sandals off and their smocks on. (that's for the jokers).

The moment I arrived to the community I was faced with a somewhat big decision - they were afraid that I would be attacked by bees if I lived in babyC. That's right, there are some bees too, though I have only seen three. At least it was an odd number- Barnes would be happy. I chose to be with the supposed bees, after all- the more yellow the better.

The other reason they didn't think I could live there is because there was no bathing room (A room with a hole for the water to go as you pour it over yourself.) We agreed that one could be made and it turned out better than I could have imagined. Within hours they had constructed a small hut from a few wooden branches and a thick straw that they arranged in a spiral- allowing entry and coverage. It's super cause I don't live in a round mud hut with straw roofing like everyone else so I get my babyC and hut too. Oh - but no roof - so free surround star viewing.

I have a lot of windows - front and back - east and west - so the round sun goes up and down in view. The sun down is different - it is misty because the harmaton winds are coming. That is what I bought that big purple sweater for (at the last moment) - we will see just how cold the mornings are. And everything should be covered with dust until Feb or March.

FANICE

I have never spoken of this favorite of mine! It is an iced delicacy in a small bag - (just like the pure water) - you chew off the corner of the bag and suck. My usual is fanchoco - the iced chocolate milk one. There is a Vanilla one that has the texture of ice cream but there is a weird artificial taste in that one. Then there is a Strawberry Yogurt one which is great for a snack. Oh - and Tapioca which is found in the North. Yum. They don't sell them in the village I am living in except today when there was a guy with a bike cooler (I guess he knew it was Halloween). But I get them on Thursdays and Fridays. The price just went up - 40 cents now.

Pictures! (go to site for better slideshow without effects)

My Private Shoebox

Halloween/ Day of the Dead

I dressed as a Ghanaian Seventh Day Adventist School Girl (borrowing my sister's school uniform dress & shoes) with a small lunch canteen and a Big Knife (like a Macheti - because students will sometimes weed the grass around the school). The village thought this was absolutely the funniest thing. They wanted me to display my grass cutting skills, which made them double over in hysteric laughter- they could hardly speak they were laughing so hard... I loved carrying the large "weapon" around because it added a horror element to me but was "normal" to people here. I told them I was dressing up for the American Holiday and they seemed to understand that very well. I went to the big town and got a lot of double takes. They were so confused! Some people would ask where I was a student, others were speechless and some would make noises of disbelief. One told me that if I am wearing that I need to go to school. I think I have done well. I am glad I decided on it instead of the group Latrine, Guinea Fowl or Mosquito Net Dress idea.

Another good costume was a girl who dressed as Diarrhea. She made a foam hat butt and stuck a brown sheet in it that draped over the back of her head like a veil.

A Side Note - The other day my sister was carrying an ax on her head to farm. It was hanging down in such a way that any sudden move would send it shooting into the back of her neck.

Another Side Note - 'That Is Fine' and 'You have Done Well' are common phrases I hear on a daily basis, especially when I sweep.